Alumni Notes | May 2026

Mrs. Nancy (Shaffer) Vanderhoof was born at home in Cumberland Township, PA on June 28, 1940, and was embraced peacefully into the arms of her Savior on May 20, 2026 at Unity Hospital after a battle with dementia. Her 85 years of life were filled with laughter, warmth, caring for others, and family.

She met her future husband, Wesley, at Roberts Wesleyan College (now University) while pursuing her degree. She earned a BS in Nursing from Roberts in 1962 and married Wes in August of that same year. She went on to earn her MS in Public Health from SUNY Brockport in 1992. Through those years, she worked in various hospitals throughout the country and across the Rochester area. Nancy truly dedicated her life to caring for others, not only as a nurse, but also as a mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend.

She is predeceased by her husband of 62 years, Wesley, (d. 2025); parents, George and Melissa Shaffer; siblings, Melvin, Norma Jean, Marie (Nygren), and Donald. She is survived and deeply missed by her children, Marna (Robert) Distaffen, and Kara (Richard) Burke; and her seven grandchildren, Kaleigh, Hannah, and Rebekah Distaffen, and Wesley, Emma, Cameron, and Andrew Burke. She is also survived by many beloved nieces and nephews who were very dear to her.

While Nancy was known by many names, Grandma was her favorite. She loved hosting weekly family dinners, having the grandkids over for sleepovers, and attending many award ceremonies, graduations, piano recitals, concerts, and soccer games. She was a phenomenal cook who always made enough food to feed the whole neighborhood, just in case unexpected guests stopped over. At grandma’s house, snacks were a seven-course meal, there was no such word as “no,” and there were always seven kinds of cookies on the counter because everybody needed their favorites.

Grandma was warm. She handed out hugs like the gum she always had in her purse, and she took care of people before she cared for herself. Her legacy and her love of family will live on through her children and grandchildren. She’ll be remembered for her one-liners, her caring nature, and the love she had for everyone who was blessed enough to cross her path. Quiet, but mighty, dementia didn’t steal her sense of humor or her love for those she cherished most.

Extended friends and family are invited to attend a celebration of life and time of remembrance on Sunday, June 28, 2026, at Pearce Memorial Church, 4322 Buffalo Rd. North Chili, NY 14514. Visitation will be from 1-2pm, immediately followed by a service at 2pm. Private interment. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her memory to the Dorothy Wittingham Scholarship at Roberts Wesleyan University, Office of Advancement 2301 Westside Dr. Rochester, NY 14624.

https://www.beanandsonsfuneralhome.com/obituaries/nancy-vanderhoof-shaffer/#!/Obituary

Rev. Dr. Anthony D. Bonds entered into eternal rest on May 3, 2026. A devoted servant of God, he faithfully led the Ebenezer Baptist Church as its beloved Pastor, guiding his congregation with wisdom, compassion, and unwavering faith. He was a loving husband to Lady Josephine Bonds, a steadfast community activist, and a cherished friend to many.

Rev. Dr. Bonds dedicated his life to ministry, service, and the betterment of others. His presence touched countless lives, and his legacy of leadership, kindness, and spiritual strength will continue to inspire all who knew him.

https://diernafuneralhome.com/obituary-of-rev-dr-anthony-bonds/

Edith Mary Duncan, age 89, of Howard passed away on Friday, April 17, 2026, at the Country Court Rehabilitation Center.

She was born on February 12, 1937, in Barnes Corners, New York to the late Clyde Edgar and Laura Sarah (Williams) Prouty. Edith graduated from Adams High School in Adams, New York, as valedictorian of her high school class in 1955. She then attended Roberts Wesleyan College near Rochester, New York, where she met her husband, Donald Duncan. The couple was married on November 22, 1962, in Webster, New York. Edith faithfully assisted and supported her husband for over 40 years of pastoral ministry, primarily in the Free Methodist Church. In later years, she and her husband also served in the Foster Grandparent Program in elementary schools in the Mount Vernon area. Edith was a member of the Lakeholm Church of the Nazarene.

Giving great attention to detail, Edith excelled at cooking, sewing and crocheting. When she could no longer perform these hobbies, she directed greater time and energy to intercessory prayer. The undeniable hallmarks of her life were her love of Jesus her Savior and love for people.

She is survived by her sons, Daniel Joseph (Carrie) Duncan, David Jonathan Duncan, Timothy Paul (Penny) Duncan; her daughter-in-law Martha Duncan; her grandchildren, Martha Joy Duncan, Benjamin Timothy (Jeana) Duncan, Nathanael Paul (Hannah) Duncan, Anna Jubilee (Joel) Hooley, Christine Shalom (Matthew) Smith, Micah Samuel (Naomi) Duncan, Mary Hosanna Duncan, Elizabeth Glory Duncan; her great grandchildren, Cayson James Duncan, Lydia Rose Duncan, Conrad Benjamin Duncan, Hazel Jane Duncan, Delta Sky Duncan, Sterling Wade Duncan, Avonlea Lake Hooley, Carolina Blythe Hooley, Remington Matthew Smith; her brother Richard Keith (Linda) Prouty, and her sister-in-law Jenelle Prouty.

In addition to her parents, Edith was preceded in death by her husband Pastor Donald Herbert Duncan,her son Donald James Duncan, and her brothers Paul Prouty and Arthur Prouty.

https://www.snyderfuneralhomes.com/obituaries/Edith-Mary-Duncan?obId=48173610

Chili: Saturday, February 14, 2026 at age 77. Predeceased by his parents, Lewis and Belva Snitchler; and sister, Belva Lynagh. Survived by his loving wife, Barb; children, Andrea Snitchler (Jeff Miller) and Christopher (Kristy) Snitchler; grandchildren, McKenzie, Jacob, Emma, Brooke and Zoe; sister, Lois (Lynn) Gursslin; brother, Lewis (Judy) Snitchler; and several nieces, nephews and dear friends.

Norm’s greatest joy in life was his family. He dreamed of having a home filled with laughter, where family and friends would always feel welcome—and he made that dream a reality. Whether hosting lively gatherings or quiet evenings together, he created a place where everyone belonged.

He embraced life with energy and enthusiasm, especially through sports. From waterskiing across sunlit lakes to skiing down snowy slopes, swimming in the summer, and enjoying the beauty of every season, Norm found joy in the outdoors year-round. He loved bringing people together, always ready to organize a get-together or share a meal—particularly if it included ice cream or dessert.

Norm had a servant’s heart. He went out of his way to help others, offering his time, skills, and steady presence whenever needed. His faith was central to his life, and he faithfully served his church community in many roles, including youth group leader, trustee, and choir member. He participated in mission trips and, from time to time, dusted off his trombone to share his love of music.

With an engineering mind and a gift for solving problems, Norm built a career that reflected his dedication and reliability, working at Bausch & Lomb and later at Johnson & Johnson. He took pride in providing for his wife and family, always able to fix what was broken and study whatever seemed uncertain.

Norm also served his country with honor in the United States Air Force during the Vietnam War, and he remained a proud veteran throughout his life.

Nothing, however, compared to the joy he found in his five grandchildren. They filled his days with adventure, laughter, and countless cherished memories. Even when dementia slowly took his clarity of thought, it never diminished his kindness. His gentle spirit and enduring love for others remained, leaving a legacy of warmth, faith, service, and devotion that will live on in all who knew him.

https://www.beanandsonsfuneralhome.com/obituaries/norman-snitchler/#!/Obituary

Dr. Frederick “Fred” G. Coisman, age 87, of Lexington, Ohio, passed away peacefully at his home on Saturday, November 29, 2025.

Fred was born on October 13, 1938, in Rochester, New York, to Gilbert and Emogene (Stear) Coisman. He married the love of his life, Doris June Tidwell, on June 19, 1960, in Tigard, Oregon, and together they shared 65 years of marriage marked by faith, service, and devotion to family and ministry.

Fred was deeply proud of earning his PhD in Psychology and devoted more than 35 years to Roberts Wesleyan University in Rochester, New York, where he was a Professor Emeritus and longtime leader of the Psychology Department. He guided the department’s growth, led the development of its first graduate programs, and mentored countless students—many of whom went on to earn master’s and doctoral degrees. Despite the demands of serving as Department Chair, Fred was always generous with his time, offering wisdom, encouragement, and compassionate counsel. Colleagues and students alike saw his life as a living reflection of Philippians 2:3–7, marked by humility, selflessness, and a servant’s heart.

A man of deep and abiding faith, Fred’s passion for ministry extended far beyond the classroom. Ordained under the Evangelical Church Alliance on May 22, 1983, he served as Rev. Dr. Fred Coisman and faithfully ministered as a lay leader, interim pastor, and Pastor at Large from 1976 to 2005 at The Second Reformed Church of Marion. From 2007 to 2018, he participated in numerous mission trips to Mexico, where he helped build four churches and joyfully served the Latino community. Though intellectually gifted, Fred was equally skilled with his hands and delighted in practical service. After moving to Lexington to be closer to family, Fred and Doris continued to serve faithfully at the Ontario Free Methodist congregation and were involved in helping plant a Hispanic church. Until his full retirement from part-time work with New York State, Fred continued monthly visits to Second Reformed Church until March 2009.

Fred loved gathering people together—especially around food—and was always ready for a fiesta. He believed deeply in the power of relationships, had a strong moral compass, and lived with an unwavering commitment to doing what was right.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Doris Coisman; his sons, CDR Robert (Polly) Coisman, LTC James (Natalie) Coisman, DVM, and Karl DePoint; his grandchildren, Carrie (Sam) Lawless, Matt (Jasmine) Coisman, Olivia Coisman, Kira Coisman, Adyson Coisman, and Sawyer Coisman; and his great-grandchildren, Oakleigh Coisman, Danny Coisman, and Cosette Lawless. He was preceded in death by his parents and his siblings, Marvin, Marilyn, and Donald Coisman.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Roberts Wesleyan University Academic Chair – Dr. Frederick Coisman, 2301 Westside Drive, Rochester, New York 14624.

https://www.snyderfuneralhomes.com/obituaries/Dr-Frederick-Fred-G-Coisman?obId=46877915